Welcome to Cinosam

Cinosam Welcome Package - 2018

Cinosam Club

The Cinosam Club is a lakeside neighborhood of cabins and homes established in the

1920s. Many residents have lived in the community for generations. Homeowners pay

annual dues to become club members entitling them to the shared use of the parks,

beaches and out-lots on Gull and Round lakes. Dues and boat slip fees cover the taxes

and a portion of the general maintenance of the shared areas. Cinosam Club is a self-

governed and self-managed organization. Many Cinosam residents generously donate

their time and money to maintain the shared areas and take care of club business keeping

costs to a minimum. Volunteers are always welcome and needed.

The Cinosam Club is governed by a set of by-laws overseen by a Board of Directors made

up of four officers and nine additional Cinosam residents. An annual meeting of

all members is held the first Saturday in August each year.

A limited number of boat slips are available to Cinosam Club Members. Currently, a

significant number of members are on a waiting list for an open slip.

Our residents are Cinosam’s most precious resource. Please obey the speed limits of 30

MPH on Cinosam and Donaldson Roads and 15 MPH on the side roads. Always be on

the look-out for children, bicyclers, runners and others, especially on summer weekends.

Early History Written by Cinosam Resident, The Late Ruby Fitch, About 1990

In 1864, a grant was approved to transfer land from the United States Government to the

Northern Pacific Railway Company for aid in construction of railroads. Subsequently, the

property was owned by the Gull River Lumber Company and its North Home Lake Shore

Company.

Only a single unidentified structure stood on the grounds in 1916. The property was then

purchased in 1920 by Albert G. Evans and Benjamin Drake, business men who were

Freemasons, from the Twin Cities.

Cinosam Club was formally platted on October 1, 1925, and Cinosam Tracts to the

southwest were platted on May 28, 1932. Lots on these plats were originally sold only to

Masons (hence the name Cinosam – “Masonic” spelled backward) and Eastern Star

members in good standing. This has since been relaxed (especially since WWII) and is

now open to anyone. Some of the owners in the 1920s and ’30s include the following

families:

George Bester, Braden, Cadwell, Cottrell, Crawford, Cole, Donaldson, Drake, Evans, Tom

Fawcett, J.C. Friend, Holloway, Kittell, Shirley “Mac”McGuire, Betty Nicol, Olson, K.A.

Paine, Minnie Paine, “Judge” Piek, Dan Petersen, Elmer Rowlands, Smythe, Spear,

Robert and Rose Topel, Benjamin Ward, and “Doc” Whitmore. Later generations of several

of these early families still live in Cinosam.

In the 1920s and ’30s, the present street arrangement was mostly on paper and only

partially a visible reality. Brainerd Street (now Cinosam Road) was there, two dirt ruts in

the early years, with an island (near the entrance) of several beautiful Norway pines. The

road divided and went around these trees. After a long battle, those wanting to save the

trees lost to progress, and Brainerd Street became straight, wide Cinosam Road.

Later, some wanted the roads cut to lot lines, while others wanted the woodsy lanes.

Originally, the grounds were crossed in random pattern of old logging roads, (see the 1913

county plat map) and these substituted for the platted roads. The logging roads were

gradually built across, fenced off, and eventually disappeared. The widening of Brainerd

Street destroyed two unusual trees that grew alongside an old Indian trail. These two trees

had a six-foot section that grew at quite a slant from vertical, then the trunks angled

straight up to the skies. It was thought at the time that they were the result of a large tree

being blown down over these two saplings. However, Indians deliberately bent young trees

to mark their trails.

A clubhouse was built in 1925 as a restaurant and meeting place roughly midway between

the Gull and Round Lakes. Mrs. Linda Nicol and her children operated the clubhouse in the

1930s. The annual club meetings were held there on Labor Day weekends. In the earlier

years, the founders often held club business meetings in winter at various offices and

lodges in Minneapolis.

All shoreline originally had been the founders’ property, but later most was sold to

individuals, making the previous front line cottages second liners along Paine Avenue.

Some shoreline was reserved as club property not long after the clubhouse was built. The

club land, Cinosam park and three out lots on Gull Lake and Round Lake Park are is still in

Club Ownership. The club also had an icehouse, a shed, and a dozen rowboats. The shed

housed the club rowboats during the winters.

The Cinosam Store was operated by Ernie Cadwell, a retired fire chief from Minneapolis.

The Cadwells had a cabin on Donaldson Street, but he lived in the back part of the store.

Later, the store was run by Mrs. Grace Ward, widow of an early director. Operating rights

were later sold to James Smythe, who had it until the Highway Commission condemned

the building. Like the other stores in the area, they had a number of slot machines. Despite

being illegal, three of the machines flourished as late as the World War II era.

The Smythes built a number of cottages on the shoreline of Round Lake after the Club

effectively lost that property when Hwy 371 was widened from two lanes to become a

divided highway. These cottages are still there, in spite of dire predictions that ice jams

would knock them down. The grounds included a part of an Indian cemetery that extended

from Brainerd Street southward for several blocks. Most of the bodies were removed when

the Indians were relocated to the Mille Lac reservation, but many were left where they

were. Most of the burials were late and used wooden coffins with no artifacts buried with

the dead.

In the Club’s earlier years, there were two campgrounds for any Mason or Eastern Star

who cared to use them. Prospective buyers tried out both campgrounds to get the feel of

the area. The most used properties were on Round Lake where the Smythes’ cottages

now stand, and on Gull Lake on the west end of Brainerd Street. Later, more lots were

added to the north and south of Brainerd Street on Gull Lake. As one camper put it,

“There’s a million kinds of bugs here, and they all bite!” The Gull Lake grounds were used

only by the most hardy, and not for long. Probably more prospects were driven off than

attracted. If the mosquitoes didn’t drive them off, the howling of the brush wolves did. The

latter were only curious and never troubled anyone.

Before Cinosam’s founding, the loggers skidded logs into Gull Lake through a large gully

that can still be seen near the Gull Lake – Round Lake channel. The logs were rafted

across the lake and taken out at a sawmill. Scuba divers report a number of the old

waterlogged logs remain on the bottom of the lake.

Several features of the grounds have been obliterated. One was a rifle range; the famed

duck pass. A wooden diving platform well out from Cinosam Park lasted only a short time.

The Lily Lake bog paths have rotted into the bogs. The bog was floating, and the trail was

a real experience to walk on. One could pick a wild cranberry now and then, observe the

muskeg at close range, and generally see a marsh that was unreachable otherwise.

The wild flowers have largely disappeared. At one time, the beautiful stemless pink

moccasin grew in abundance. Richard Crawford, second generation of the Crawfords, has

made an interesting study of this delicate flower. These plants require many years to get to

blooming size, and picking the flowers usually kills the plant. A plant with several blossoms

may be twenty-five years old or more. They do not feed upon the soil but depend upon a

complicated special feeding train that produces the fungus they must have to live. It is rare

they can be transplanted. Clearing the grounds has wiped out most of the wild flowers

native in the 1920s.

Cinosam had its full quota of personalities. The Petersen brothers were carpenters and

general handymen and most of the older cottages are their handiwork. Ed Petersen was

the hunter and fishing guide. Dan’s family had nightly musical get-togethers, with everyone

playing any one of several instruments. Dan built a cabin that his family still lives in. Ed

converted a 1919 Dodge truck to an original motor home.

Lambert Spear was always called “Papa” and was an entrepreneur and inventor, having

co-founded a cheese company that sold out to Kraft. He invented packaging machines and

built them in his own workshop. When he did anything, it was always by some new and

original idea. He cleaned out a clogged well point with hydrochloric acid, which worked fine

except the water was unusable for quite a time. He was very fond of Buick cars and

touched them up to a fine point, getting one up to 93 miles per hour.

Frank Skillman was a natural merchant. After retirement, he would set himself in front of

his cottage on the highway with a chair, clock, or what have you, and by evening it usually

was sold Cinosam has been in a constant transition since first developed in the early

1920s, but still has plenty of old world charm.

A special thanks to Richard Crawford, Mr. and Mrs. Evans, Betty Nicol Rose, and Lyla

Petersen for their contributions for this early history of Cinosam. –Ruby Fitch

The following document is an original plat of Cinosam lots. The numbers are the lot prices

in the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Membership Dues and Fees

The Cinosam Club is a Member’s Only organization with the purpose of promoting social

and recreational enjoyment and providing for the welfare and protection of community

property. To maintain the Club property, particularly the parks, docks, swimming beaches,

picnic areas, playground and all other areas owned by the Cinosam Club, annual dues and

fees are assessed to the members as set at the annual meeting.

Membership consists of property owners who are current in their dues and are therefore

entitled to club property use. A renter who pays dues, or has dues paid by the property

owner may use the club property.

General Membership Dues – $100 due from all residents in January of each year and

must be paid within the first (30) days of the fiscal year. Payment of annual dues allows

for the individual use of the parks, beaches, and is mandatory for boat slip ownership or

wait list.

Boat Slips – $500 due from all slip owners in January of each year and must be paid

within the first (30) days of the fiscal year. A $350 one-time fee to cover docks and

maintenance is required when you receive your slip. Non-payment of boat slip fees can

result in the loss of the slip.

Canoe Slips – $50 due from all slip owners in January of each year and must be paid

within the first (30) days of the fiscal year.

Other Assessments and Fees – the above fees and other special assessments are set at

the annual meeting by a combined majority vote of those present and those voting by

absentee ballot.

Mailing Address

Cinosam Club PO Box 2851 Baxter, MN 56425 Non-payment of membership dues may cause loss of use of Cinosam amenities including the park, beach, boat slips, etc. Non-payment of Boat Slip and Canoe Rack fees will cause a forfeit of the slip or rack.

Cinosam Annual Events

Each 4th of July the Cinosam Club holds a parade, ceremony, and barbeque. Planning, food, and entertainment are generously donated by our neighbors.

Cinosam Oktoberfest is held each year on the first Saturday in October. Neighbors BYOB and dishes to share. Food is followed by a bonfire and celebration.

Other events such as garage sales, actions, etc. have been planned by residents.

Boat Slips

Cinosam has boat slips in five locations: Cinosam Park Beach, Out Lot 1, Out Lot 2, Out Lot 3, and Round Lake. Due to the high demand for a boat slip there is currently a rather lengthy waiting list. To get your name on the list, please contact one of the Board of Directors.

Cinosam contracts with a company to install and remove the boat docks and lifts each year. You will be billed individually by this company for your removal and installation.

Volunteers

We are lucky to have a great group of talented volunteers that donate their time and talent to Cinosam. During the year, there are times when help is needed from our neighbors. To volunteer when you are able, let us know if you want to be added to the text list and we will send out a blast request to you and others when help is needed.

If you are interested in a board position, let us know.

Cinosam Board Members:

Mark McDonald (President) markmcdonald98@msn.com Tom Whitehead (Vice President) tdw@brainerd.net Julie Carroll (Secretary) carroll.julie8@gmail.com Liz Becher (Treasurer) lizchandler828@gmail.com Ron Mckitterick mckit44@yahoo.com (2015-18) Richard Dillman rhdillman@stcloudstate.edu (2015-18) John Klauck klauck@brainerd.net (2015-18) Marc Kmecik somewhereinthesun7@gmail.com (2016-19) Steve Bredeson stevetarabredeson@gmail.com (2016-19) Jenna Whitehead jennaw1010@gmail.com (2018-20) Kelly Spratt kellyspratt9911@gmail.com (2018-19) Verna Thompson missverna55@gmail.com (2018-20) Vacant

Communication

Cinosam Club information can be viewed on our webpage www.cinosamclub.org or on

Facebook at Cinosam Club.

Bylaws of the Cinosam Club Corporation Adopted by Membership Vote – August 1, 2009

Article I — GENERAL PURPOSE

Cinosam Club is both a Club and a legal Minnesota nonprofit corporation.

The General purpose of the Cinosam Club shall be: For social and recreational enjoyment,

and to promote the interests and welfare of the Cinosam Club and its members:

• To preserve the historic character and shared vision of Cinosam as a community of

single family dwellings, both seasonal and permanent and to foster friendly

community spirit.

• To preserve The Club’s real and personal property for present members and future

generations, thus improving member’s separate, personal real estate property

values.

• To maintain the Club properties, particularly the parks, docks, swimming areas,

picnic areas, playground and all the other lands owned by the Cinosam Club, and

waters it commonly occupies.

The Club shall seek to influence government officials to maintain the single-family

character and structural traditions of Cinosam and minimize taxes on corporate Club

property.

The Club may acquire real and/or personal property by purchase, gift or otherwise and

hold the same in its corporate name. Neither the board of Directors, the officers, nor the

general membership in the annual meeting has the authority to dispose of real property of

the Club.

ARTICLE II – MEETINGS

Section 1

Meetings of the Club shall be held upon the call of the President, or in his/her absence, or

disability, by the Vice President of the Club. The annual meeting shall be held on the first

Saturday of August of each year at the Gull Lake beach park in Cinosam (if inclement

weather, at other designated Cinosam location).

Section 2

Meetings of the Board of Directors may be called monthly May-September, and otherwise

as may be desired by the President (who chairs the Board of Directors), or in his/her

absence or disability, a meeting may be called by the Vice President or by any three

Directors. Times shall be announced at least seven (7) days in advance.

ARTICLE III BOARD OF DIRECTORS; ELECTION; LIMITATIONS

Section 1

The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer,

and nine (9) additional Directors. The offices of the Secretary and the Treasurer may be

held by the same person if the Club so elects. All officers are Directors.

Section 2

The officers and Directors shall be elected by secret (paper) ballot at the annual meeting.

Public solicitation of candidates shall be posted by the first Sunday in June.

1. a) Each paid membership shall have the right to vote, in accordance with Article V.

2. b) Balloting shall be completed either by mail, or in person, at the annual meeting.

3. c) Any Club member desiring to be a candidate for any Director’s office or position

must notify the Club Secretary or Election Committee chairperson in writing,

including his/her date and signature, not later than July 5 prior to the annual

meeting. A person who has not paid dues by May 1 of the current year may not be

a candidate for election at the annual meeting. If no person applies to be a

candidate for a position, the President shall appoint at least three persons to draft a

candidate(s) for the position and report no later than July 12 if such person is to

appear on the ballot.

Section 3

In the event an office or Board seat is not thus filled or becomes vacant, the Board may

elect a replacement. Resignations must be in writing, dated, signed and delivered to the

President or Secretary in a timely manner. The Board may, by majority vote, remove any

Board member for inactivity, or by two thirds vote, for disruptive, unethical or inappropriate

behavior.

Section 4

The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of one

(1) year, and the other Directors for a term of three (3) years, with three (3) Directors being

elected each year.

Section 5

All members of the Board of Directors shall be voting members of the Board. Seven (7)

members of the Board shall constitute a quorum unless two or more positions are unfilled,

in which case a quorum shall consist of no less than five (5).

Section 6

There shall be no more than one (1) person from a member household/property serving as

an officer or other Director at any one time.

ARTICLE IV - DUTIES OF THE BOARD

Section 1

The Board of Directors is charged with the management of Club business and has the

authority to acquire and dispose of non-real estate Club property.

The Board shall appoint one or two persons to audit the Treasurer’s records annually. The

Board shall appoint a committee to review the Club’s financial situation in each odd

numbered year and make recommendations to the Board.

The Board shall instruct officers in their responsibilities and specify in writing goals and

functions for committee/group heads, for both existing and new committees/groups. The

Board shall appoint either the President or another member of the Board to co-sign with

the Treasurer for authorized funds in excess of $100 per expenditure. When authorized by

the President or Board, lesser sums may be signed by the Treasurer alone and accounted

for to the Board or President in a timely manner.

Section 2

The President shall: Preside at all meetings of the Club membership and Directors, shall

have general supervision of all the affairs of the corporation, shall sign all written contracts

of the corporation; shall have the power to authorize reasonable expenses to insure the

continual maintenance and functioning of the Club. He or she shall perform all other such

duties incident to the office. In case of the absence or disability of the President, these

duties shall be performed by the Vice President.

Section 3

The Vice President shall assist the President in the performance of the duties of that

office and shall perform the presidential duties upon the request, absence or disability of

the President.

Section 4

The Secretary shall attend and keep the minutes of all business meetings; shall provide

minutes promptly to all Board members, and for public posting; shall, with the President

and other Directors, insure that all documents, notes, etc. are dated with the author’s

signature or name noted prominently; shall hold copies of all current corporate records and

papers; shall insure duplication of vital records and their safekeeping in at least two

separate Club locations; shall be the keeper of the corporate seal; shall attest with his or

her signature and impress with the corporate seal all written contracts of the corporation;

shall perform all such duties as are incident to the office.

Section 5

The Treasurer shall receive all dues from the members, shall have custody of all monies

and securities of the corporation; shall sign all checks of the corporation; shall keep regular

books of account and shall submit them together with all vouchers, receipts, and records

and other papers to the Club’s Board of Directors for their examination and approval as

often as they may require, shall submit to the Secretary for inclusion in the minutes of each

meeting a summary of the current status of the Club’s accounts, and shall perform all such

other duties as are incident to the office, and shall submit all records at the close of each

fiscal year.

Section 6

The Board shall cause to be created, and routinely and annually updated, an Operations

Handbook for each officer, non-officer Board member, and one for each standing

committee chair or current function, with the object of insuring reasonably consistent

practices and procedures for succeeding chairs, officers and other Directors. The

President shall insure appropriate persons have access to, are familiar with, maintain, and

update as useful, the relevant handbook(s).

Section 7

The Board shall specify in writing goals for committee heads, including their respective

responsibilities under the operational handbook for each.

STANDING COMMITEES shall include, but are not limited to:

• SAC: boats, docks, Gull shore maintenance to hill base

• CLARC (Cinosam Lakes Area Restoration Committee)

• Grounds/waters planning and initial implementation

• Election: recruiting and administration

• Maintenance: (multiple committees by location)

• Events Planning and Management.: July 4, cleanups, etc.

• Newcomers Welcoming

• Financial Overview –odd numbered years

• Long range planning; dues, taxation, and other monetary issues

(Other committees are suggested in the Board members’ handbooks.)

ARTICLE V - CLUB MEMBERSHIP, VOTING, DUES

Section 1

A membership shall consist of the currently paid up, dues-paying owner(s) of one (or

more) property(ies) in Cinosam Club, Cinosam Tracts, and/or Cinosam Acres in Crow

Wing County, Minnesota. Group, partnership, corporate, trustee, or other collective

ownership arrangements are entitled to only a single voting membership. In no case shall

more than one vote be allowed per owned dwelling, regardless of the number of owners. A

single owner or nuclear family having multiple dwellings shall be entitled to only one

vote. Multiple families sharing ownership may each pay dues, one per family, and be

eligible for usual and customary Club privileges, but only a single vote.

Section 2

Permanent and seasonal members have equal rights to vote and to customary uses of

Club grounds and facilities for their families and guests.

A renter who pays the annual club dues or has dues paid for by the property owner

receives a privilege of the Club properties but may not vote in any general meeting of the

Club. Renters are not eligible for boat slips.

Section 3

Dues are to be paid within the first thirty (30) days of the fiscal year—January 1 to

December 31 and made payable to “Cinosam Club.”

Section 4

Dues amount, boat fees, and other special assessments shall be set at the annual meeting

by a combined majority vote of those present and those voting by absentee ballot.

ARTICLE VI - AMENDING BY LAWS

These Bylaws may be amended at any annual meeting of the Club by a two-thirds majority

vote of all voting members either by absentee ballot or in person, provided however that

such proposed amendment in its entirety shall have been mailed to each member at his or

her last known address at least fifteen (15) days prior to such meeting.